TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Australian media reported that the Solomon Islands plans to push for the removal of Taiwan's observer status in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) this week, as China aims to strengthen its sway over the organization.
The Australian reported that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will attend the PIF in Nuku'alofa, Tonga on Tuesday (Aug. 27). Leaders are expected to support a new initiative proposed by Australia to establish a regional police response unit for natural disasters and security crises.
In 2022, PIF member countries rejected a multilateral security agreement proposed by China, supporting the "Pacific Family" policing agreement instead. This prompted Beijing to intensify its efforts to win over individual countries in the region.
The report indicated that China will counter this by leveraging its closest regional ally, the Solomon Islands. The Pacific island nation said it will introduce a motion this week challenging Taiwan's participation in the 18-member forum.
A senior diplomat from a Pacific island country told The Australian that the Solomon Islands is acting on behalf of Beijing to block Taiwan from the 2025 PIF in the Solomon Islands' capital of Honiara.
“China is heavily lobbying all member countries on this. I would not be surprised if it is accepted,” said the diplomat.
Another senior source revealed that Honiara authorities are receiving “clear tasking from China." It remains unclear whether it will succeed, as it might be seen as a risk to Pacific unity.
The report's author said the Albanese government will resist any attempts to alter Taiwan's status at the forum. Last week, the Australian Senate passed a motion supporting Taiwan and condemning China's efforts to exclude Taiwan from international organizations.
On Monday (Aug. 26), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Deputy Minister Tien Chung-kwang (田中光) has led a delegation to Tonga to attend the 53rd PIF and the 29th Taiwan/ROC-PIF Dialogue Meeting. The visit aims to strengthen Taiwan’s partnerships with Pacific allies and like-minded countries, it said.
The ministry emphasized that the PIF is “one of the most important international organizations in the Pacific region." Taiwan has participated as a “development partner” since 1993.
